Illustration of totem pole
- totem pole 1
totem pole
noun
1
: a pole or pillar carved and painted with a series of totemic symbols representing family lineage and often mythical or historical incidents and erected by Indian tribes of the northwest coast of North America
2
: an order of rank : hierarchy
Examples of totem pole in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Another problem the Knicks have seems to be finding Karl-Anthony Towns, the All-Star starter who isn’t near the top of the totem pole within the New York offense.
—
Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 2 May 2025
Further down the totem pole, hundreds of thousands of white-collar professionals—particularly in IT, finance, and business services—are benefiting from higher salaries as their dissident peers emigrate and their skills become scarcer.
—Alexander Gabuev, Foreign Affairs, 17 Apr. 2025
Despite having Chuba Hubbard at the top of the totem pole following a career year, the Panthers could use some more talent on the depth chart.
—Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 8 Apr. 2025
Lower on the totem pole will be a third running back — preferably a power guy that can help Miami in short-yardage situations — as well as a third receiver and another tight end.
—C. Isaiah Smalls Ii, Miami Herald, 9 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for totem pole
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 2 May 2025
Further down the totem pole, hundreds of thousands of white-collar professionals—particularly in IT, finance, and business services—are benefiting from higher salaries as their dissident peers emigrate and their skills become scarcer.
—Alexander Gabuev, Foreign Affairs, 17 Apr. 2025
Despite having Chuba Hubbard at the top of the totem pole following a career year, the Panthers could use some more talent on the depth chart.
—Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 8 Apr. 2025
Lower on the totem pole will be a third running back — preferably a power guy that can help Miami in short-yardage situations — as well as a third receiver and another tight end.
—C. Isaiah Smalls Ii, Miami Herald, 9 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for totem pole
Cite this Entry
“Totem pole.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/totem%20pole. Accessed 14 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share